Disability Benefits For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!

Reviewed By: Pramod Kerkar, MD, FFARCSI

One famous quote goes like, "Anything in excess is opposed by nature!" Coming straight to the pressure on the wrist; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be one of the most painful disabling condition which is caused due to an excessive pressure on the wrist. It is actually the compression of the nerve called the median nerve that passes through the wrist lying on the palm side of your hand.

Very often a question arises, can one get disability benefits for carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS?

This current article will talk about this issue of carpal tunnel syndrome and disability, what are the chances of getting disability benefits for carpal tunnel syndrome and importance of contacting social security disability attorney to win carpal tunnel syndrome disability claim. .

Facts About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Disability:

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is an inflammation due to an excess of pressure on the median nerve found in the underside of the wrist.

About 10% of the U.S population suffers from the Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Excessive typing or any other movement that causes flexing and relaxing of the wrist on a repetitive basis primarily causes this type of syndrome. However, conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, thyroid problems, menopause etc can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.

In case the symptoms are not treated earlier, they become worse progressively over time that may result in severe pain and restricted movements or the arm.

Initial symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling and burning on the hand, especially in between the thumb and first two fingers

Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Alone does not prove being disabled.

Its very unlikely to get disability benefits for carpal tunnel syndrome during initial application process.

Under certain conditions carpal tunnel syndrome can be considered for claiming insurances or social security disability benefits.

Causes And Symptoms Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

Now coming straight down to the causes and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome/disability, here we are with the below mentioned list to be noted.

Causes:

Repetitive movements that causes flexing and relaxing of wrist. Typing, over exposure to vibrations caused due to hand tools or equipments, etc are some examples.

Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis

Hormonal imbalances like in case of diabetes, thyroid, menopause or pregnancy etc

Symptoms:

Pain on the thumb, fingers and over the wrist, especially while lifting up the arm.

Severe pain during night.

What Are The Chances Of Getting Disability Benefits For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Your chances of qualifying for disability benefits for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the information provided in your medical records. The views points and statements of your treating physician who has been following your medical condition for quite sometime will be very vital especially if the treating doctor is of the opinion that your medical condition of carpal tunnel syndrome is significantly limiting your ability to work and carry activities of daily living. Diagnostic studies of the past and present will also be important especially in cases where it evident that your condition i.e carpal tunnel syndrome has not improved or has worsened despite continued medical treatment or even surgery.

Your chances of qualifying for disability is not solely depended on your medical condition of carpal tunnel syndrome but it will be based on the extent to which carpal tunnel syndrome is causing functional limitations in you. Functional limitations caused by carpal tunnel syndrome is vital as it takes into account doctors opinion on how long you can sit, stand, walk, crouch, and stoop. How frequently will you need to take a break from your work on account of carpal tunnel syndrome etc. The physical residual functional capacity or PRFC will also indicate physician's opinion regarding your ability to lift weights on an occasional or frequent basis as a part of your job, as well as your ability to grasp things, perform activities involving fine motor skills, and reach for things overhead.

It is important to prove that because of carpal tunnel syndrome, you are not only incapable of performing your previous job, but also will not be able to perform any other light or sedentary job as well.

It is important for the person who is planning on filing disability claim for carpal tunnel syndrome to be aware of the following facts:

Office of Disability Claims or Social Security does not seek records from claimant's treating physician. Whereas, by approaching an experienced disability attorney, at the hearing level, records from treating physicians will be obtained and presented to the judge which enhances your chances of letting the judge know how you are affected or have been rendered disabled due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Usually before the stage of court hearing level, a claimant does not get a chance to explain how carpal tunnel has rendered him/her disabled or how it has limited their ability to work, nor will the lawyer/attorney get a chance to present their evidence to prove your disability due to carpal tunnel syndrome. But, in contrast at the hearing level, you and your attorney get a chance to put forth your argument in front of the disability judge.

Another area where a disability attorney can help your case is by getting your problems of daily living documented in medical records. For example, your medical transcripts could indicate that you have pain, swelling, redness or inflammation and are unable to do task involving repetitive motions but that may not be enough to help your case. An attorney is more likely to suggest that you provide practical examples of your problems to the doctor like having difficulty opening cabinets, lifting coffee mug, or tendency to drop things often, or perform any overhead activities such that the treating doctor documents such vital information in the medical records.

Apart from proving your functional limitations, an experienced SSD attorney will also help you prove that your carpal tunnel impairment also eliminates a number of transferable skills that you might have.

So, If you are suffering from CTS and looking for the social security disability claims, then reach out to best social security disability attorneys for carpal tunnel syndrome who can help you navigate through the SSI or SSDI benefit processes and help you get the disability benefits for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.